Keith Garabedian is closing his South Street hot dog shop after three-and-a-half praise filled years. Hot Diggity immediately seemed like it had always been on South Street and I never considered it would close. Garabedian shares a wonderful thank you letter to his customers, co-conspirators, chef friends and more.

Lola Bean, which was seen as a gentrifying coffee shop when it first opened at 1325 Frankford Avenue is now closing after spending three months in the shadow of the latest symbol of gentrifying Fishtown, the mega La Colombe. Though the owners of Lola Bean didn’t mention La Colombe by name or allusion, it’s hard to imagine that the competition helped.

Nodding Head Brewery owner Curt Decker just passed along news that he will be moving the brewpub out of Center City. Decker says he has a deal but isn’t saying where he’s moving. Landlord issues are cited as the reason for the move.

Nodding Head Brewery has been on Sansom Street for just under fifteen years. Before it was Nodding Head, the upstairs location was a Sam Adams Brewpub. Decker says, “we have seen downtown go from ‘sleepy’ to bustling, to a new version with tremendous diversity. It has been fun watching the transformation, but now it’s time for a new adventure.”

With this weekend’s closing of Avance at 1523 Walnut Street, we thought we’d look back at the modern history of this most storied address. Check out our timeline history of the fall from popularity of what was the most famous restaurant address in Philadelphia.

Avance, the successor to Le Bec Fin, will close after service on Saturday night, October 11th. Michael Klein reported that the Walnut Street restaurant is a victim of economics. Chef Justin Bogle, who opened Avance ten months ago with high hopes, said, ” we can’t continue operating at this pace.”

Michael Klein received confirmation that Finnigan’s Wake, which had been for sale for a year now, is under agreement for sale and is now officially closed. The sprawling complex at 3rd and Spring Garden had only been open infrequently recently after a long run as a spot that was one part frat party and one part political hang, frequently serving for fundraising affairs and victory parties.

No word on what will become of the 19,140 square foot building.

In news at other bars that targeted college kids and the recently graduated, Roosevelt Pub at 2220 Walnut Street has been totally cleared out. The bar seemed to lose business as it was covered in scaffolding for what seemed years, and a recent rebrand as the R Bar never seemed to take hold.

Leigh Maida sent out a message to subscribers of the Resurrection Ale House mailing list that the her and Brendan Hartranft’s Graduate Hospital beer bar is under agreement of sale. The letter notes that the employees will stay on after the acquisition, though the fried chicken may not. The note says that the chicken might pop up at the couple’s other bars, Memphis Taproom, Local 44 or Strangelove’s.

Back in May, we broke the news that longtime Tangier owner Jack Roe was selling his building and beloved business at 18th and Lombard streets. And now, two months later, it appears that the end has come. Tangier is closing within a matter of days. Read more »